The Magic Bed [Library Binding]

John Burningham (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Georgie has got a new bed, but it's not like other beds. For each night, Georgie says the magic word and it whisks him away on a fantastic adventure. He loves his bed, but one day he and his family go on holiday, and when they come back, Granny has a big surprise for Georgie ...

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

PreS. When little Georgie outgrows his crib, he chooses an antique replacement that is inscribed with the promise of magic if he says his prayers and a secret password, which he finally discovers. Every night thereafter, Georgie embarks on a new and different journey: through the jungle, on a swim with dolphins ("which is why his bed was sometimes wet in the mornings"), in the stream of dreamtime traffic, or racing geese and witches. Then Georgie's family replaces his magic bed with a bland new one, but he manages one last flight. The ambiguous ending is a bit weak, the subject (a child's secret nighttime adventures) isn't new, and a few details are unclear: Whom does Georgie live with? How old is he? But Burningham's simple, sly sentences and whimsical mixed-media art will immediately transport children on their own imagined departures, while reassuring little ones who are dreading new, big beds of their own. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Inside Flap

When Georgie outgrows his baby bed, he chooses a big second-hand bed that the thrift shop owner tells him is magic. ?The lady who had it before said you could travel in it.? Georgie?s granny teases him about his magic bed. But every night, Georgie has a new adventure with tigers or gnomes or pirates in faraway places. Some nights he would swim with dolphins, which is why his bed is sometimes wet in the morning. And when his granny replaces the old relic with a spanking-new bed, Georgie has his revenge.

John Burningham?s playful handling of a child?s imagination and the special relationship a child has with his or her bed makes this a good-night story that children will beg to hear again and again. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 037592423X
• ISBN-13: 978-0375924231
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,210,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars More Magic from Burningham, December 31, 2005

By 

Stepford Wife (Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Bed (Hardcover)

Another great book from John Burningham. It teaches wonderful lessons without hitting kids over the head with them. For example, when Georgie gets a bed from a second-hand store, he discovers what's interesting and magical about it rather than yearning for something new. Beautiful, creative illustrations. My kids love this book!